Preview: Dons v Pompey

26 April 2016

Chris Slavin

Quotes and stats ahead of key clash

The Dons go into tonight’s clash against Portsmouth on the back of five successive wins and tantalisingly close to sealing a play-off place.

With a far superior goal difference to Cambridge United, Portsmouth’s top-seven place is effectively ensured, but Paul Cook’s men will be eager to improve on previous visits to AFC Wimbledon with two defeats in the last two seasons.

Cook has assembled a competitive squad since taking over last summer with Portsmouth on track for their best season yet since relegation to League 2 in 2013 as they are currently sixth in the table.

TEAM NEWS

Jake Reeves is fit to return to the AFC Wimbledon squad after missing the last three games due to a hamstring injury. Kyle Bennett (ankle), Ryan Fulton (thigh), Adam Webster (ankle) and Conor Wilkinson (groin) are all out for the visitors.

QUOTES

Neal Ardley:

“It is an exciting game and I think everyone is looking forward to it. We want to see if we can get our noses over the line. Portsmouth are more or less there with their goal difference so credit to them, but they will want to finish the season strongly.

“It’s always a good game against them because their fans are great and the atmosphere will be great. I don’t expect it to be cagey, I expect it to be a ding-dong game. Our players are putting in an awful lot of effort and our fans will praise people fighting hard for their club.”

Darius Charles:

“Portsmouth are no different to when Crawley came here or Orient at the weekend. It really does not make a difference at the end of the day. We are playing against 11 men and the club history is the club history. This club has a history and so too do many clubs. We just have to focus on the players we are up against on the pitch.

“Karleigh Osborne told me that it was a great group of lads here and if anything he under-sold them! The boys here are brilliant. I’ve been in some great dressing rooms, but I’ve also been a bit unfortunate when things are not going well and it’s not the best. This is definitely a great place to be.

interview.Dons Player to view a short clip of Darius’ full You TubeClick on

PLAYED FOR BOTH

Paul Robinson (pictured) spent just a season with Pompey, but he was greeted like a hero when he returned to Fratton Park in November. Andy Barcham also played for Portsmouth for two seasons, scoring five goals in 45 games.